Chenille patches
Chenille patches for letterman jackets are the raised, fuzzy varsity letters, numbers and emblems that go on school and club jackets. We make them custom, on wool-blend or acrylic felt with a chain-stitch outline, from 50 pieces.
What you can order
| Piece | Typical size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Varsity chest letter | 5–6 in tall | The school initial, worn on the left chest |
| Graduation year numbers | 3–4 in | Usually on a sleeve |
| Sport and activity emblems | 3–5 in | Football, band, drama, academic awards; often layered on a felt shield |
| Mascot and school name | 8–12 in | The large back piece |
| Name patch | Name tape or script | Right chest or under the letter |
Chenille runs large by necessity and is priced per piece, starting at $2.50. Pieces above 4.5 in — which includes most letterman letters — are quoted individually. Send your artwork and sizes and we will price the set. See the price list for how pricing works.
How chenille letters are made
Short loops of yarn are stitched up through a felt base so they stand proud of it, then the shape is outlined in a flat chain stitch in a contrasting colour. Two-tone pile, a second felt layer behind the letter and a contrasting border are all standard options. Because the loops are thick, the smallest readable detail is about 10 mm — chenille is for bold letters and shapes, not fine text. Everything else about the construction is on the chenille patches page.
Attaching letters to a letterman jacket
Letterman jackets are usually wool bodies with leather sleeves, and chenille is heavy. Iron-on adhesive struggles to hold that weight on wool, so sew-on is the standard and the backing we recommend. Where each piece traditionally goes is covered in letterman jacket patch placement, and the stitching in how to sew on a patch.
Specification
| Item | Standard |
|---|---|
| Minimum order | 50 pieces per design |
| Base | Wool-blend or acrylic felt |
| Pile | Looped chenille yarn, single or two-tone |
| Outline | Chain stitch, contrast colour |
| Typical sizes | Letters 5–6 in; emblems 3–5 in; back pieces 8–12 in |
| Minimum detail | About 10 mm |
| Backing | Sew-on recommended; iron-on for cotton jackets |
| Proof | Free digital proof before production |
| Production | 10–12 business days standard, 5–7 rush at no extra charge |
| Shipping | Free, tracked, worldwide |
Common questions
What size is a letterman jacket letter?
A varsity chest letter is typically 5 to 6 inches tall. Back pieces with the school name or mascot run 8 to 12 inches.
Are chenille letters sewn or ironed on?
Sewn, on almost every letterman jacket. Chenille is heavy and wool does not hold heat-seal adhesive well, so sewing is the only method that lasts.
How much do custom chenille letterman patches cost?
Chenille starts at $2.50 a piece. Most letterman letters and back pieces are over 4.5 inches, so they are quoted individually from your artwork.
Can you make patches for a whole team or class?
Yes. The minimum is 50 pieces per design, which suits a team, band, club or graduating class ordering the same letter or emblem.
Related reading
- Chenille patches — construction, backings and options
- Letterman jacket patch placement — where each piece goes
- The patch jacket — planning a jacket full of patches
- How to sew on a patch — stitching heavy patches on by hand